Nova et integra Caenomaniae Descriptio vulgo la mans.
13 ½ x 18 ½ inches. Superb original color; mended tear with no loss, remargined bottom corners, very good.
A beautiful, original color example of Gerard and Cornelis De Jode’s rare map of the Le Mans region of western France. The map combines rich detail inland with entertaining decorative flourishes: the city of Le Mans itself is depicted with its walls and cathedral.
As beautiful as their cartographic product was, the De Jodes were no match for their highly successful competitor Ortelius. His Theatrum Orbis Terrarum would be produced in forty-two editions, and he was able to enjoy a license and monopoly for his atlas, whereas De Jode’s efforts to secure a license were fruitless for many years. There were but two editions of the De Jode atlas; consequently all of the maps that appeared in Gerard and Cornelis’ Speculum Orbis Terrarum are now quite rare.
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